After dropping three games over the last four days, the Pacers (22-22) have two days off to practice and regroup before traveling to Minnesota to take on the young but talented Timberwolves (16-28).
The Pacers have been up and down all season, and Monday's 109-103 loss to the Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse was a microcosm of their season.
Indiana got off to a roaring start, jumping out to a 34-20 lead in the final minute of the first quarter. But the Blue & Gold let off the gas over the next two quarters, allowing the Knicks to roar back and take a 17-point lead of their own in the third quarter.
The Pacers mounted a memorable charge down the stretch, eventually tying the game with 42 seconds to play, but Carmelo Anthony knocked down a go-ahead jumper on New York's next possession and Myles Turner committed a costly turnover on the other end to thwart Indiana's comeback hopes.
Head coach Nate McMillan shook up the starting lineup prior to Monday's game, moving Glenn Robinson III — who had started the last 19 games — to the bench and inserting C.J. Miles into the starting five. The idea was to take some pressure off of the 23-year-old Robinson, who appeared to have hit a wall in recent games, and add another veteran scoring threat to the starting unit in Miles, who is shooting over 40 percent from 3-point range.
The first results with the new rotation were mixed. Miles played a part in the Pacers' hot start, but went just 4-for-14 from the field and 2-for-9 from three. Robinson converted all three of his shots in 18 minutes off the bench, but the Pacers were outscored by 16 points when he was on the floor.
McMillan didn't permanently commit to the new lineup after the loss, but said he would employ the same rotation on Thursday in Minnesota.
The Timberwolves have struggled for much of the season, but they've played better of late winning five of their last six (they play at Phoenix on Tuesday before returning to Minneapolis) and are now just 2 1/2 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Minnesota might not be a playoff team this season, but they figure to be perennial contenders in future years as their two 21-year-old phenoms, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, continue to develop. Towns, a 7-foot center is averaging 22.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in his second pro season, while Wiggins, a 6-foot-8 swingman, is scoring 21.8 points per contest.
Jeff Teague
C.J. Miles
Paul George
Thaddeus Young
Myles Turner
Ricky Rubio
Zach LaVine
Andrew Wiggins
Gorgui Dieng
Karl-Anthony Towns
Pacers: PG – Jeff Teague, SG – Glenn Robinson III, SF – Paul George, PF – Thaddeus Young, C – Myles Turner Timberwolves: PG – Ricky Rubio, SG – Zach LaVine, SF – Andrew Wiggins, PF – Gorgui Dieng, C – Karl-Anthony Towns
Pacers: Aaron Brooks – questionable (sore right knee), Rodney Stuckey – out (left hamstring strain)
Timberwolves: Nikola Pekovic – out (recurring pain in right ankle) Last Meeting
December 26, 2015: The Pacers went into Minnesota and came away with a 102-88 win to sweep the regular season series with the Timberwolves.
Monta Ellis led Indiana with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Paul George added 18 and Jordan Hill tallied 12 points and five rebounds in the victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns had a team-high 24 points and eight rebounds, while Andrew Wiggins added 19 points for Minnesota.
The Pacers return home on Friday, Jan. 27 to host the Sacramento Kings in a Hickory Night game. Members of the Indianapolis Washington High School state championship teams from 1965 and 1969 will be honored at halftime. Find Tickets » Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host) Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host) Away Game Night Special
Flag Hat – $12. Game Night Specials can be purchased online the day of each away game from 10:00 AM – Midnight. Order Online »
